THE FUTURE IS FEMALEpercentage of female leads in top 100 films increased in 2018

Our Next Program

The Art of Grant Writing

25 Mar 2019 @ 06:00pm

Grant writing is an essential tool for filmmakers in the documentary community to bring stories to life. This second installment of NYWIFT’s Documentary Series will explore key elements to focus on when developing a successful grant proposal. Speakers will address best practices in grant writing, catching the eye of individual funders with a strong application, how to target your potential funders and other opportunities not explored enough by filmmakers. The panel will also explore The Documentary Core Application, a joint project between The Sundance Institute and the International Documentary Association, established to standardize application requirements.

Latest news

In Dawn Scibilia’s feature documentary After the Vote, the story of women in the post suffrage era changes our understanding of women’s political history in America.

Learn more about the film, which is fiscally-sponsored by NYWIFT.

The Geena Davis Institute released The Geena Benchmark Report, a study of the top-grossing family films from 2007-2017 which shows that male characters outnumber female characters in children’s media by 2-to-1.

What are we teaching our kids?

Get the facts.

A recent study put forth by Sundance Institute and USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative analyzes demographic data from submissions and acceptances to Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Institute’s Artist Support programs over the last two years. It reveals that while efforts for parity have been made, more work is needed.

While the numbers have generally increased since the last study conducted in 2009, submissions by female directors are still under 50% in all festival sections.

See details.

TIME’S UP joined New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in announcing the TIME’S UP New York Safety Agenda: a four-part initiative to amend New York law in an effort to prevent sexual harassment and assault from occurring and enable survivors to seek justice. This happened because of women organizing to ensure safe, fair and dignified work for us all.

Learn more.

Congratulations to the many NYWIFT members who had films at the Sundance Film Festival this year.

Read the recap.

New NYWIFT Executive Director Cynthia Lopez began on January 1st, 2019.

Read her greeting to the NYWIFT community.

"As always and even more so today, women in our business are taking up the mantle of courage and truth-telling and consciousness, and they move and inspire me. We are awake now in a way we have never been before."

- Actor Judith Light, accepting her 2017 NYWIFT Muse Award

"My faith is renewed by the way I experience this vanguard moving through the world with such grace at such a complex time. Speaking truth to power and creating a legacy for the women and the men who follow."

Women Make the Cut: A Discussion with Female Documentary Editors

LATEST blogs

Ruth E. Carter is an American costume designer (and NYWFT Designing Women honoree!) with an unparalleled ability to develop an authentic story through costume and character. And this year she became the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for costume design for her work in Black Panther.

Barbara Hammer: Our industry lost a legend this week, pioneering queer experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer. A recent Vanity Fair interview highlighted the inclusive spirit that was a hallmark of her work: “There is room for everyone.” Self-Advocacy Skills: Five powerhouse women offer advice on how to advocate for yourself – how to speak up about...

Production Designer Hannah Beachler created the iconic looks of "Creed," "Moonlight," and Beyonce's "Lemonade" before taking on the fictional world of Wakanda in "Black Panther," which won her a 2019 Academy Award. She is the first-ever African American - male or female - to take home that honor.

Joi McMillon made Oscar history in 2018 when she became the first African American woman nominated for Best Achievement in Film Editing for Moonlight. But the road to the Oscars wasn’t straight or smooth.

RECENT tweets

OUR sponsors

New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) advocates for equality in the moving image industry and supports women in every stage of their careers. As the preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT energizes women by illuminating their achievements, presenting training and professional development programs, awarding scholarships and grants, and providing access to a supportive community of peers.